The 901-page report found former director Jennifer Lilley retaliated against employees who complained, and that then-city manager Mike Futrell discouraged them from coming forward.
Young sailors navigate Lake Evans in Fairmount Park, sharing the water with geese resting in the shade along the shore. (Katherine Evans) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Wednesday Gazette: June 24, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Wednesday! Today is the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, a reminder that the toughest problems in the world are better solved when more voices are in the room. Between 1992 and 2019, women made up just 13% of peace negotiators globally — and yet research shows that when women are part of those talks, agreements are significantly more likely to hold. That's not a small thing.
Now, here's what's happening in our community today.
City Investigation Finds Director Created Hostile Workplace, City Manager Discouraged Complaints
The 901-page report found former director Jennifer Lilley retaliated against employees who complained, and that then-city manager Mike Futrell discouraged them from coming forward.
Pages from Nevins Professional Investigations' Final Report of Administrative Investigation, overlaid on a photo of City Hall.
A 901-page investigation found that a former city department director spent years terrorizing employees — and the city manager helped cover it up.
Why it matters: If you work for the city or follow how Riverside is governed, this report documents one of the most serious workplace misconduct findings in recent memory — with both the director and city manager now gone.
Driving the news: The investigation, completed Dec. 20, 2025 and submitted to the city Jan. 20, sustained all seven allegations against former Community and Economic Development Department director Jennifer Lilley and 10 of 11 against former city manager Mike Futrell.
71% of CEDD employees surveyed said they lacked psychological safety; 59 employees — about two-thirds of the department — left during the period reviewed.
The backstory: The investigation began Nov. 1, 2024, after multiple employees complained about Lilley, who joined the city in December 2022. Futrell was added as a subject in October 2025 after investigators found he discouraged complaints, allegedly called anonymous filers "cyber bullies," and told staff he'd fire them if complaints continued.
Yes, but: Both Lilley and Futrell disputed the findings. Futrell, who resigned June 16, said the report contains "factual inaccuracies" and "material omissions," and that he appropriately relied on staff experts. He said his resignation was unrelated to the report.
What's next: Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson has called for an independent third-party review of the entire CEDD department. The city is finalizing a request for proposals. Miranda Evans, named permanent director in early June, is leading the department in the meantime.
Two Homes Approved as Landmarks, a Third Named Structure of Merit
The Cultural Heritage Board also heard early feedback on a proposed ordinance that would ban chain link fencing on historic properties citywide.
(File photo/Raincross Gazette)
The Cultural Heritage Board recommended landmark designation for two historic residences and approved a third as a structure of merit at its June 17 meeting.
Why it matters: Landmark designation unlocks the Mills Act — a state program that trades ongoing preservation commitments for reduced property taxes — making these votes directly relevant to historic homeowners citywide.
Driving the news: The board acted on three Ward 3 and Ward 4 properties in a single hearing, with a debate over vinyl window replacements shaping the third vote.
The Havens Residence at 2139 Archdale received structure-of-merit status rather than full landmark — because a prior owner replaced original aluminum windows with vinyl frames — with a condition requiring window replacement in its Mills Act 10-year plan.
What was approved: The board unanimously recommended full landmark status for two properties: Lionhead, a 1926 Spanish Eclectic estate at 2881 Rumsey Drive designed by architect Henry Jekel; and Edie, a 1966 mid-century modern home at 5958 Edith Avenue designed by Swiss-born architect E. Kurt Steinman — who also designed City Hall and the Main Street Pedestrian Mall.
Also on the agenda: The board workshopped a proposed ordinance, introduced by Councilmember Falcone, that would ban chain link fencing on all designated historic properties citywide.
Existing fences wouldn't need replacement; the ban would apply only to new installations. A foundation spokesperson told the Gazette the Old Riverside Foundation has not yet been approached by the city about grant funding for fence replacements.
What's next: The CHB meets Wednesday, July 15, at 3:30 p.m. in the Art Pick Council Chamber at City Hall, 3900 Main Street.
Caltrans is rehabilitating a stretch of SR-91 between Van Buren Boulevard and Madison Street through summer 2027, with a $31 million project that includes overnight weeknight lane closures — so plan your commute accordingly.
The 2027 GROW Conference on agriculture and sustainability is accepting speaker and session proposals through September 30 — farmers, educators, and experts are invited to submit ideas for the Riverside event themed "Fields of Opportunity."
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